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Remains likely those of missing California teen, sheriff says

Chelsea King, a 17-year-old senior, was last seen Thursday. Police believe they've found her remains.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Hundreds gather for a candlelight vigil to honor teen girl missing since Thursday

Human remains found in shallow grave in park where Chelsea King was known to run

King, 17, was last seen at school; her car, with cell phone inside, was found at park

John Albert Gardner III, 30, is being held on rape and first-degree murder charges

(CNN) -- Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil outside a San Diego, California, church in honor of a teenage girl missing since Thursday.

The vigil was held just hours after authorities said they found human remains in an area where they had been searching for 17-year-old Chelsea King.

"There is strong likelihood that we have found Chelsea," San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said at a news conference.

The remains were found in a shallow grave along the shoreline of a tributary south of a lake in Rancho Bernardo Community Park, authorities said.

Searchers have been combing the edge of Lake Hodges for any clue into the disappearance of King, a cross-country runner who often ran along the park's trails.

The last reported sighting of the high school senior was at school Thursday, according to sheriff's department spokeswoman Susan Plese. Her car, with her cell phone inside, was found at the park, Plese said.

Police arrested 30-year-old John Albert Gardner III on Sunday in connection with the disappearance.